QUANERGY SYSTEMS, INC. v. VELODYNE LIDAR USA, INC.

Velodyne and Quanergy both market products employing laser systems. Quanergy filed two inter partes review (“IPR”) proceedings challenging the validity of multiple claims in U.S. Patent No. 7,969,558 directed to a laser-based system for measuring distances, e.g., for helping autonomous cars sense their surroundings. In substantially similar final written decisions, the Board held that Quanergy had not shown that the challenged claims were unpatentable. On appeal, Quanergy argues that the Board erred in its construction of the term “lidar.” Because Quanergy’s broader construction is inconsistent with the specification, the CAFC finds it to be unreasonable. The CAFC also rejects Quanergy’s challenges to the Board’s obviousness analysis, and affirms.

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